What prop is used to represent a horse whip in an opera performance?
In the opera performance, the prop of horse whip is often used to represent the horse. The horsewhip is one of the most representative props in Beijing opera, which not only represents the horse, but also brings the audience the real feeling of riding a horse through the performance skills of the actors. This virtualized performance technique enables the audience to immerse themselves in the galloping of the horse and the movements of the characters on the horse's back.
Generally in a moderate length of bamboo poles or wooden sticks wrapped with three or five circles of colorful tassels, both horses and whips, through the simulation of the actor waving the whip dance, it can represent the character is riding a horse.
There are more colors of horsewhips in Peking Opera, and the horsewhips represent the color of the horse, for example, the white horsewhip represents the white dragon horse, the black horsewhip represents the black piebald horse, the yellow horsewhip represents the yellow hussar, and the red horsewhip represents the red rabbit horse. Liu Bei used a white horsewhip, the king of West Chu used a black horsewhip, the emperor used a yellow horsewhip, Lu Bu used a red horsewhip, and Mu Guiying used a pink horsewhip.
The horsewhip has many functions and expressions in the opera performance. On the one hand, the horsewhip can represent the whip for beating the horse, and the actor creates a scene of horses galloping through the swinging action of the horsewhip, so that the audience can feel the power and speed of the horse.
On the other hand, the horsewhip can also be used as a substitute for the horse, i.e., the actor holds the horsewhip and expresses the image of the horse through the movement of the whip, and shows the bumpy feeling of the character on the horse's back through the swinging of the whip and the undulation of the body. This comprehensive use of the horsewhip performance, so that the audience can more fully feel the presence of the horse and the character on the horse traveling scene.
The color of the whip also has a certain symbolic meaning in opera performance. Generally speaking, the color of the whip is mainly black, but the color of the whip handle may vary according to different dynasties and status. In Qing Dynasty dramas, the lighter the color of the horsewhip handle, the higher the status of the character is represented.
Through the use of the whip and the acting skills of the actors, the audience can feel the shock of the horses and the movements of the characters on the horseback. This virtualized performance technique not only breaks through the limitations of the stage, but also demonstrates the professional skills and artistic talent of the actors, bringing the audience a wonderful and varied opera performance.